The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-12-22

the whole, mamma, think that is very
good plan. Madam Boutellc could prob
ably have monopolized him. Youknow
she is crazy after the men, and especially
Count de Bcaupre. Besides" concluded
Angclinc, very forciby, "its too late to
ask anybody elsew
81 suppose it is" said Mrs. Duncan,
ruefully.
And it was decided that they would
have mademoiselle, who was commanded
to accept the invitation on the pain Of
losing her situation.
Angelinc was enraged because tho
stubborn little governess would not bor-
row dress of them.
"Sho will look like a guy, mamma.
She can't have anything fit to wear"
"Wcll, my dear, it is all your fault"
Mrs. Duncan declared. 'You would
have her!'
But mademoisclle did not look like a
fright. When Count do Beaupre en-
tered the reccption-room, his beauty
loving eyes singled out at once a
slender, curving figure, in antique bro
cadc which had grown yellow with age,
but was SO unmistakably distinguished
looking that all the ladies were wild
with envy. Mrs. Duncan introduced
him.
"Mademoisellc," said tho courtly
young lion, bending his fine head to
look at the fair, sweet face beside him,
81 am charmed to meet so lovely
countrywoman in a foreign land Is it
possible that we have met before2 Your
face reminds me of one l have seen some
where"
II think not" Valerie answered,
flushing with pleasure at the sound of a
voice that spoke her native tongue so
perfectly. 81 have been in America for
twelve years.
~ am sorry" murmurod tho count.
"Onc can always claim some favor on
the score of an old acquaintance.
Just then Mrs. Duncan's imported
butler came in, with practised bow
and announced:
'Dinner IS served"
Count de Bcaupre glanced at his card
and saw that he was to take Mademoi-
sellc La Fontc out to dinner. His
pleasure was unmistakable.
They were soon chatting volubly in
French. Angcline Duncan sat next to
them. She put in word now and then
at random, for she couldn't understand
word they were saying. But the
counts puzzled Comment" HowO
and 'Jc vous demande pardonp' Il beg
pardon y soon silenced her.
As for Valerie, she was growing ami
mated. Her face flushed prettily un-
der tho counts admiring gaze, and she
was quite obivious to the javelin
glances hurled at her by Mrs. Duncan.
The count had hardly looked at Ange-
line.
"Who was that pretty girl took out
to dinncr?" he asked, later in the even
ing.
"Mademoisell, La Fonte," said Mrs.
Duncan, coldly. 'Is it possible you
admire her, count7 She is not much of
anybody. We just had her to make up
the party"
Mrs. Duncan was angry, or she would
not have said such thing.
AS for the count, he saw that he had
made mistake; but Mademoiscllc La
Fontc was wholly unconscious.
Shortly after, coffee was served, the
guests departed, and Valerie came up to
the hostess, when the party had dis
pcrsed, to ask whether she might not
go home.
"Yes, and stay the-ev' rctorted An
geline, angrily. "How dared you pre-
sumo to firt with guest of my moth
er'si You forget, mademoiselle, that
you are not here as a social equal. We
did not expect you to play any of your
adventures games upon Count de
Beauprc."
'Miss Duncan" cried Valerie, grow
ing deadly pale, "you have not yet ac-
quired the right to insult mel"
"Angcline," said Mrs. Duncan, in a
low tone, "don't be too hasty. Remem-
Der that it is hard to get good gov
! erncss on mad cmolselle's terms"
II don't care" cried Angeline, burst
ing into tears. "She kept Count de
Beaupre away from me all the evening""
"SIiss Duncan" said the little gov
erness, with much dignity, 'T assure
you that had no such an intention"
"That will do, mademoisellep said
Mrs. Duncan, coldly. "You can go
now"
So the poor girl hurried out of the
room, and met the Count dc Beaupre,
waiting, hat in hand, in the hall. She
saw by his face that he had heard all.
II thought you had gone!' she STAN
mcred.
81 waited for you," he answered, in
French. II thought you had no escort.
May l have the honor of seeing you
home, madcmoiselle|
II have no carriagew faltered poor
Valerie.
mine IS at the door. Allow mew
So the little governess found herself
rolling home in state.
81 ought not to let you do this" she
said, hurriedly. ~ am not one of Mrs.
Duncan's guests, monsieur; am only
her governess.
"The name of La Fonte is very dear
to me-" said the count, gently. My
| fathers best friend was a French uen-